What It’s Like to Teach Yoga: Honest Reflections from My First 6 Months
From this moment forward… 6 months of learning, teaching, and growing with love.
Hi beautiful friend,
I’ve hit a milestone, and I’d love to share it with you all.
I have officially been a yoga teacher for 6 months!
And what a ride it’s been - from saying yes to 12 classes in a single week, to covering 6:30am classes (yawn), to navigating the world of studio vs. community teaching. I’ve learned so much, and I’m excited to share some of that with you today.
I’m proud of how far I’ve come. I’m grateful for every single opportunity I’ve had to teach. But if I’m honest? I’m also tired. I’m 7 months pregnant now, and naturally beginning to slow down as I prepare for maternity.
That slowing down is giving me space to reflect, and clarity. When the time comes to return to teaching, I know I’ll be coming back with a stronger sense of who I want to teach, where I want to teach, and how I want to work in a way that feels good for me and sustainable.
Being a Yes Man
Before I got on the plane to Goa for my teacher training, I made myself a little promise:
I was going to be a YES MAN for the first 12 months of teaching.
Any opportunity that came my way - studio cover, community classes, charity events - I’d say yes. No questions, just go for it.
Now, because of pregnancy, that “yes phase” has been cut a little short, more like 6 months instead of 12. And honestly?
I’m kind of glad it has.
I think if I’d kept going like that for a whole year, I would’ve ended up completely burnt out.
The week I said yes to 12 classes (yep, 12), was the tipping point. Pregnant or not, that was a lot. A lot of energy being given, a lot of travelling, a lot of planning. I’m really glad I did it though - it gave me a real taste of what full-time teaching can look like, and also helped me find where my limits are.
I know some yoga teachers (especially back when I was living in London) who consistently teach 12+ classes a week - and while I completely understand it from a financial perspective, I honestly don’t know how that’s sustainable long-term.
It’s amazing. But it’s a lot.
What I’ve Learned About My Teaching Rhythm
Something I’ve really discovered over these past six months is just how much rhythm matters - not just what I teach, but when I teach.
Let’s talk about those 6:30am classes…
I’m a slow morning girly. Always have been. Those early alarms? Not my vibe. While I’ll happily cover the odd early session if a studio needs me, I honestly couldn’t imagine setting up my own regular 6:30am class. That’s a special kind of commitment! That said, it’s genuinely lovely to see how dedicated people are to their practice that early. It’s inspiring.
One thing I definitely learned: teaching both early morning and evening on the same day is not for me. I only did it a couple of times, and it just did not suit me (I was so tired). And that’s okay - part of becoming a teacher is finding what works for you, too.
Something else I’ve noticed is how much the size of the class can shape the energy. I adore teaching a full room - that shared breath, the synchronicity, the community. But I’ve also taught classes where it’s just one or two people. That can feel a bit trickier at times, especially when you thrive on group connection like I do.
Still, I always remind myself: if just one person leaves feeling better than when they arrived, I’ve done my job.
The Lesson I Didn't Expect
While I’ve loved the energy of being a new teacher, saying yes to everything, and building confidence - I’ve also realised something important:
I need my own yoga practice too.
Yoga is what makes me feel most grounded, most content, most clear-headed - it’s what made me want to teach in the first place. But over the past six months, I’ve barely practised outside of teaching. My schedule has been so full, I’ve had to choose rest over movement. And living in a smaller city like Leicester, most other classes are at the same times I’m teaching - which makes it hard to be a student myself.
Post-pregnancy and post-maternity, I’m aiming to find a better balance.
I want to teach - but I also want to practise. Teaching 12 classes a week might be good for the diary, but it’s not sustainable for the soul.
Finding My Voice as a Teacher
One of the most beautiful things about these first six months of teaching, has been watching myself grow and evolve. I’ve really found my voice as a teacher, and seeing how confident I have become is truly a blessing.
Those first few classes, I was glued to my own mat, using it as a safety net. But now? I’m stepping out into the room, moving into the space and trusting my queues over demo’ing everything.
I’m getting more confident with sequencing too. My teaching course was in just Vinyasa & Ashtanga, but so far I’ve taught Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, Gentle/Restorative Flows, and even a couple of Yogalates classes. I’m branching out, exploring styles, seeing what lands, and tweaking as I go. That variety has helped me grow not only as a teacher, but as a student too.
One of the biggest lessons so far? Adaptability!
I’ve covered a lot over a few different studios, so that means, sometimes I don’t know the people coming to the class. I don’t know their experience with yoga, their ability, what the regular teacher’s style is like. This has meant I seriously had to learn to read the room from the very first few poses: how are they moving? What’s their energy? Are they new? Tired? Ready to go?
Sometimes a plan I had in mind gets thrown out the window - and that’s okay. Some of my favourite classes have come from trusting that instinct, adjusting the pace, and tuning in.
The Hard Moments?
There have been bumps.
One that hit harder than expected? A summer class I was running at a beautiful yoga garden was recently cancelled due to low numbers. It made financial sense for the studio, of course - but it was still a blow. My heart sank. I questioned myself. Was it me? Was I not good enough?
I had to take a breath and step back. Sometimes, it’s just timing, or location, or weather (outdoor classes are tricky like that). It certainly doesn’t mean I failed.
And then there’s the classic nerve-wracking moment…
When another yoga teacher walks into your class.
At first, I panicked. Would they judge me? Is my class “too simple”?
But I’ve learnt to let that go. It’s not about impressing people - it’s about being me. Showing up grounded, present, and in service to whoever is in the room.
Looking Ahead
These six months have given me so much clarity.
Going forward, I want to build more of my own community classes - where I connect deeply with my students, where I’m paid fairly, and where I can teach with heart. No more chasing around to studios across town, no more 12-class weeks. Just me, teaching a few beautiful, intentional classes per week.
I’m proud of these first six months.
But more importantly, I’m excited for the next chapter - one where I can show up as both a teacher and a student. One where I honour my energy, my values, and the life I’m building with my growing family.
Thank you for being part of the journey.
Whether you’re reading from afar or practicing with me in class - I see you, and I’m so grateful.
All my love,
Ready to Reflect On Your Own Yoga Journey?
If you’ve been inspired by my first six months of teaching, and you’re craving a little more self-connection, you might love my 30-Day Yoga Journal. It’s filled with gentle prompts to help you explore your own practice, reflect with kindness, and deepen your awareness - both on and off the mat.
Click here to download your copy!
Or, if you’re curious about where my yoga path began, you can read my very first blog:
How One Yoga Class Changed My Life - And Led Me to Becoming a Yoga Teacher
Let’s keep growing together.